Saint Liam to Run in Big ‘Cap

Saint Liam, who is scheduled to arrive from Florida on Thursday, was given high weight of 122 pounds for the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap, which will be run for the 68th time Saturday.

A 5-year-old Saint Ballado horse owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Warren Jr. and trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., Saint Liam began 2005 with a decisive win over Roses In May in the Donn Handicap on Feb. 5 at Gulfstream Park. It was his fourth win in seven starts since joining the Dutrow barn. One of his losses was a neck loss to eventual Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and horse of the year Ghostzapper in the Woodward Handicap on Sept. 11 at Belmont Park.

Ten others are considered probable for the 1 1/4 -mile Big ‘Cap, including Island Fashion. Second to Southern Image in last year’s race, Island Fashion, who was given 113 pounds, will try to become the first female to win the Grade I. Before she was the runner-up last year, Next Move finished second in the 1951 Big ‘Cap as did Gamely in 1969.

Besides that pair, others considered likely to participate are: Lundy’s Liability (120 pounds), Rock Hard Ten (119), Imperialism and Truly A Judge (117), Congrats and Supah Blitz (115), Musique Toujours (114) and Grand Reward (112).

Entries for the Santa Anita Handicap will be taken Wednesday morning. The card will feature three other graded stakes. Declan’s Moon, the 2-year-old champion of 2004, will make his first start of the year in the $200,000 Santa Catalina Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Singletary will make his first start in more than four months in the $300,000 Kilroe Mile and 3-year-olds will get together in the $100,000 Baldwin Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass.

*

Miss Terrible, an 11-1 shot making her first start since Aug. 3, 2003, rallied from off the pace to win the $109,600 Las Flores Handicap on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Making her first start for trainer Bradley Ross, the 6-year-old Numerous mare, who is owned by Charles and Carol Hammersmith, outfinished 6-1 third choice Puxa Saco to win by a half-length. Ridden by Alex Solis, the Argentine-bred ran the six furlongs in 1:09.47 under jockey Alex Solis.

Papa To Kinzie, the 6-5 favorite, finished sixth after setting a quick pace (20.94 and 43.69 for the half-mile). Victory U.S.A., the 2-1 second choice, was fifth in her first start since she finished third in the San Clemente Handicap on July 31 at Del Mar.

*

Jockey David Flores, who was one of three riders involved in a spill that killed two horses Saturday, dislocated his left elbow and is expected to be out two months. “There was a flake in the joint, so they had to do minor surgery to clean it out,” said Scotty McClellan, Flores’ agent.

Alex Bisono and Julio Garcia, the other jockeys involved, escaped without serious injury.